This page compares the Suzuki Hayabusa with the 1st Generation Kawasaki ZX-12R
specifications and performance! Originally the ZX-12R was due to be
released in 2000 but a variety of factors like the much publicised cam-chain
issue with the Hayabusa and the discovery of reliability similar issues with the
original ZX-12R, Kawasaki delayed the release until late 2000.

The original release was indeed special since
Kawasaki fans had been waiting for a replacement for the old ZX-11 or ZZR1100
for some time. The 1100's speed crown had already been taken by the Honda
Blackbird and in turn the Hayabusa. So it was expected that the new ZX-12
would be the next speed king. Unfortunately it never was - missing out on
all official speed tests. A variety of
issues made the Blackbird or Hayabusa better motorcycles overall including top
speed. Major
changes where made to the ZX-12 over its very short model life (up to 2006)
indicated that something was not quite right with the original.

On the upside I still believe the ZX-12 sounds
better than either the Honda or Suzuki in standard trim. It's still an
enjoyable motorcycle and in today's speed restricted world one of the fastest
production motorcycles you can buy.